Should you Seek Chiropractic Care for Your Child in Woodlawn?
Children have immature bodies and immature immune systems. They are changing and developing at a much higher rate than adults. These faster changes often mean there is more opportunity for things to go wrong. Many parents don\'t realize that chiropractic care is safe, gentle and an effective way to treat many childhood conditions. From birth through puberty a child\'s body will undergo incredible forces and spurts of growth and change. So much of this can cause dysfunction in the joints and muscles. This dysfunction can cause irritation to the nerves resulting in pain and inflammation which can lower the body\'s ability to handle outside insults such as germs. Add the mental and emotional stress that today\'s youth are under and it is amazing that kids actually make it to adulthood without falling apart! Again, all of this dysfunction left unchecked can lead to early degeneration of joint surfaces and it can set the stage for reduced well-being and for future health issues.
Most people have a mental image of what chiropractors do and of what a chiropractic adjustment looks like. A chiropractic adjustment for a child would likely look and feel differently than an adjustment performed on an adult. Your chiropractor will adapt spinal and joint manipulations to the child based on age and size. Even small infants can be safely adjusted with the tiniest of forces…a force less than it would take to press a key on your computer keyboard! Many of our young patients\' parents tell us that their children enjoy their chiropractic treatments and they look forward to their next visit. Often parents also report that their children have fewer illnesses like ear infections and stomach issues while under chiropractic care. I have heard many parents of children with ADHD/ADD report their child seems less distracted and that they have better self-management in the days following an adjustment.
A biomechanically dysfunctional joint is considered to be subluxated. The chiropractic adjustment corrects this subluxation, restores normal biomechanics and removes nerve irritation and interference so the body can function better. Since all of the systems in our body are under nerve control, anything that effects the nerves in a positive way can improve issues with things like circulation, breathing, hormonal issues, immunity and digestive issues like colic and constipation. Likewise, anything that effects the nerves negatively (like a subluxation or biomechanical dysfunction) can cause or worsen issues with the systems of the body. Chiropractic does not \"cure\" these problems but it can help the body to function optimally and thus reduce the severity and frequency of certain conditions.
If you\'re still not sure if your child should be adjusted my answer is: If they have a spine they likely should be. Call us at Barrett Family Chiropractic in Woodlawn, 410-265-9911 to make an appointment for your child to have an appointment and consult with Dr. Barrett at 1724 Woodlawn Drive, Baltimore, MD 21207. While you\'re at it, make an appointment for yourself. Let\'s keep better health all in the family!
